At-Home Upper Body Workout

So...you may have noticed I have some extra widgets on the right hand side of my blog. I'm now affiliated with Foodbuzz, woo-hoo! Really excited to have another network for my blog. Because clearly I need to spend more time on my computer in the blog world, right?

I got a few requests to show my upper body workouts and I thought I would share the easiest, simplest workout that you can do at home with only one piece of equipment - a resistance band. I use one with handles on each side to make these even simpler.  But before I even get to this stuff, I start each upper-body workout with the 100 Push-Up Challenge.
**Disclaimer: Hubs and I live in a teeny hotel room while our house is being built. It's messy. There are cats in basically every picture. They get pretty excited when workouts happen!

In between each set of push-ups, I need to rest about a minute. This is the PERFECT time to add in an ab exercise. Here were tonight's sets:

-28 Push-ups
-30 Crunches
-35 Push-ups
-20 Leg Lifts
-25 Push-ups
-30 Russian Twists
-22 Push-ups
-30 Bicycle Crunches
-35 Push-ups
-20 Roll-ups

Once these are out of the way, we can get onto the good stuff! I have about 5 exercises that I do with the resistance bands, and I consider them a "circuit". Once they are finished, I do another set of ab exercises, and then repeat 2-3 times.

BICEP CURL: Put the band under your right foot and hold one handle with your right hand. Keeping your right arm along the side of your body, bend at the elbow until your hand reaches your shoulder. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat. (Switch to left side when you've finished the right side!)

OVERHEAD TRICEPS EXTENSION: Again, stand on the band and hold the handle in your right hand. Point your elbow toward the ceiling and your hand is facing behind you. Use your left hand to support your right elbow. Straighten your arm toward the ceiling, then slowly return to starting position and repeat. (Switch to left side when you've finished the right side!)

SHOULDER PRESS: (For Deltoids and Triceps) With both feet on the middle of the band, grip both handles, one in each hand. Bend your elbows so your hands are at shoulder height. Straighten your arms and push your hands upwards above your head. Bring back to starting position and then repeat. 

STANDING BACK ROW:  For this, you need to loop your band around something at around shoulder height--I use a metal bar. Standing upright, hold each handle with one hand. Start with your arms straight out in front of you and then pull back to your body, tightening your shoulder blades and feeling the work in your back. Return to starting position and repeat!

I go through these exercises (and sometimes a few extras--the bands are so versatile!) and then squeeze in a few ab exercises, and then run through the circuit once or twice more depending on how I'm feeling or time constraints. 

The only proper way to refuel after a workout like this is with nostalgic treat from your childhood. (Don't worry, I had a Greek Yogurt first!) Yes, I mean PopRocks. Most fun ever. Does anyone remember the rumor that if you ate PopRocks and then drank Coke your stomach would explode? Seriously hope that's not true. 

Where do you do your upper body workouts? Home, gym? Do you use free weights, machines, bands, or body weight moves?

I've used all of these methods in the past, but right now the resistance bands work best for me. So simple and I can do it at home. Plus, I get to watch Glee in the background while I do this. Bonus!

Ever had PopRocks? What is the treat you loved best as a child?

I loved PopRocks! I think I remember Fruit By The Foot as the best snack though. I didn't get them often but they were amazing!